Abstract: The ability to levitate, to separate, and to detect changes in density using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations using an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) it is compatible with simple optical detection (provided that transparent materials are used to fabricate the containers/channels where separation occurs; iii) it is simple to collect the separated particles for further processing; iv) it does not require magnetic labeling of the particles/materials; and v) it is small, portable.

Abstract: A porous polymer structure may be formed by cooling a substrate to a temperature at or below a freezing point of a monomer, wherein the monomer is capable of free-radical polymerization; exposing the substrate to an initiator and the monomer, each in a vapor phase, wherein a concentration of the monomer in the vapor phase is above a saturation pressure of the monomer; converting the initiator to a free radical; crystalizing and depositing the monomer on the substrate; and polymerizing at least some of the monomer on the substrate, thereby forming a porous polymer structure on the substrate.

Abstract: A porous polymer structure may be formed by cooling a substrate to a temperature at or below a freezing point of a monomer, wherein the monomer is capable of free-radical polymerization; exposing the substrate to an initiator and the monomer, each in a vapor phase, wherein a concentration of the monomer in the vapor phase is above a saturation pressure of the monomer; converting the initiator to a free radical; crystalizing and depositing the monomer on the substrate; and polymerizing at least some of the monomer on the substrate, thereby forming a porous polymer structure on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate, such as a microfluidic device having an interior surface, includes heating a gas including a perfluoroacrylate, a crosslinker and an initiator at a first temperature, maintaining the substrate at a second temperature lower than the first temperature in a reaction chamber, exposing the heated gas to the substrate in the reaction chamber, and reacting the perfluoroacrylate with the initiator and crosslinker to form a polymer coating on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The ability to levitate, to separate, and to detect changes in density using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations using an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) it is compatible with simple optical detection (provided that transparent materials are used to fabricate the containers/channels where separation occurs; iii) it is simple to collect the separated particles for further processing; iv) it does not require magnetic labeling of the particles/materials; and v) it is small, portable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a versatile method to produce superhydrophobic surfaces by combining electrospinning and initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). A wide variety of surfaces, including electrospun polyester fibers, may be coated by the inventive method. In one embodiment, poly(caprolactone) (PCL) was electrospun and then coated by iCVD with a thin layer of hydrophobic polymerized perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (PPFEMA). In certain embodiments said coated surfaces exhibit water contact angles of above 150 degrees, oleophobicities of at least Grade-8 and sliding angles of less than 12 degrees (for a water droplet of about 20 mg).

Abstract: Disclosed is a versatile method to produce superhydrophobic surfaces by combining electrospinning and initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). A wide variety of surfaces, including electrospun polyester fibers, may be coated by the inventive method. In one embodiment, poly(caprolactone) (PCL) was electrospun and then coated by iCVD with a thin layer of hydrophobic polymerized perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (PPFEMA). In certain embodiments said coated surfaces exhibit water contact angles of above 150 degrees, oleophobicities of at least Grade-8 and sliding angles of less than 12 degrees (for a water droplet of about 20 mg).